The Iditarod ceremonial start was Saturday at 1pm (Texas time) and I was on a wine tour of the Texas Hill Country.

We hit Becker – nice selection of local products.

had lunch at Inwood Estates Winery & Bistro (We were going to sit outside, but it was too windy. A huge umbrella blew up and almost killed me. True story.)

checked out Torre Di Pietra Vineyards – which I didn’t love (There was a shop cat and I’m ALLERGIC.)

swung by Grape Creek – classy joint

and finished up at Fiesta Winery – yummy sweet wines.

rocking in a chair on a porch at Fiesta Winery reminds me of my Grammy’s porch growing up. Love!

So, I didn’t get very far in the Iknitarod Saturday. (my goal is to knit the owls sweater – my first adult sweater – by the time the last musher reaches the finish line in Nome) I did attempt a German twisted cast on after my gauge swatch and when the tail wasn’t long enough, I decided to try again Sunday.

Sunday –
cast on 2. German twisted – wasn’t crazy about how it looked.
cast on 3. German twisted – started knitting the rib and didn’t love how that looked
cast on 4. tubular – have 102 sts. need 108. merciful heavens!
cast on 5. tubular – finally have 108 stitches. time to hit the hay.

Monday –
I worked on the ribbing. The darker edge looks amazing! I tried it on. FRACK! It’s too small. I can get it on, but even having never knit a sweater before, I know the stitches are not supposed to be all stretched out like that. This is the part where I learn what is meant by an inch or 2 of ease.

On the upside, I do not love the waterfall look of the Tubular cast on. German Twisted it is.

Tuesday –
I tried it on again in case I was just fatter Monday or something. No such luck. It’s too small. I took a picture and ripped it out.

Then, I took a break because well, I needed a break. My first sweater is kicking my arse. (calling it my 24 hour break)…probably a little early to take my 24, but there you have it.

Wednesday –
cast on 6. German Twisted – tail too short
cast on 7. German Twisted – (going up 2 sweater sizes and down one needle size) BINGO! (I hope)

The trail has been ROUGH for those running the Iditarod so far. I am consoling myself with the fact that at least I don’t have any actual bruises to show for my rough Iknitarod start.

To see what others are working on, check out:
Tami’s Amis
Small Things (I just started reading Wheat Belly – it is actually about modern/hybridized wheat and gluten vs. ancient wheat and has been interesting so far.)
Frontier Dreams

For (I think) the first time in my life, the movie is better than the book. The book is slow enough that instead of reading the rest of the series, I read the summaries on wikipedia. The movie is faster paced since they crammed 340 pages into 104 minutes. It’s not Gone with the Wind, but if you want to see a vampire movie with some light action and a skosh of romance, this will do the trick.

The knit(s):

Ms. Karp (a teacher) was wearing a gold lacey knit sweater that I really liked the idea of, if not the execution. I couldn’t find any pictures, so here are some patterns that have the same vibe:
Hey Teach

Hitofude Cardigan

photos used with permission of LilyLilyLily on ravelry

I really like this Hitofude Cardigan knit by LilyLilyLily. The gold color she chose is a much nicer gold than the one in the movie and shows off the lace well. Just lovely.

# 45 Lace Sweater

photos used with permission of Happymaxine on ravelry

This sweater by Happymaxine is some gorgeous knitting and you know I’m a sucker for silver and gray.

In one scene, Headmistress Kirova had on a finely knit dress with a beaded yoke. I kept thinking it was a sweater, but I can’t imagine one of us knitting this. It was interesting nonetheless.

Here’s the socks I’m working on and oh yea, I’m Team Christian. He’s dark and broody and his specialty is fire, ya’ll.

To see what others are working on, check out:
Tami’s Amis
Small Things (I just started reading Legend – and my thoughts so far are that it had me at hello.)
Frontier Dreams

Knitting what you know is soothing. Especially after going rogue on tiny sweater sleeves and things not going according to plan. I started these socks February first and am hoping to finish in time for Valentine’s Day (yes, I do like a challenge, why do you ask?). I’ve not made PINK socks for myself before and I’m not Valentine’s Day’s biggest fan, but the February Violently Domestic Danima banksiae socks knit-a-long and this pretty pink yarn inspired me to embrace the cliché.


ok, I did go a little bit rogue, I’m knitting 66 sts around at a gauge of 8.5 sts/inch when the pattern calls for a gauge of 6 sts/inch. But, so far, things are coming up roses. Even the pooling is playing nice!

To see what others are working on, check out:
Tami’s Amis
Small Things (I just started reading Wheat Belly – it is actually about modern/hybridized wheat and gluten vs. ancient wheat and has been interesting so far.)
Frontier Dreams